The coronavirus situation has changed – the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has updated its instructions

3/2/2020 1:30 PM

The situation regarding the coronavirus epidemic has changed in recent days and the increased risk of infection now applies not only to spending time in mainland China but also in Iran, South Korea and the Italian areas of Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont or Emilia-Romagna.

As of 25 February, more than 900 cases have been recorded in South Korea and around 60 cases in Iran. Geographically extensive transmission chains have also been identified in Italy, where over 200 cases have been identified.

Persons who fall ill with a sudden respiratory infection on 25 February or at a later date should be treated as having possibly contracted coronavirus if they have spent time in mainland China, Iran, South Korea or the above-mentioned regions of Italy within the previous 14 days.

For the most part, ski resorts in Northern Italy are not located in the affected areas, and there is no increased risk of infection for those travelling via Milan airport.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has updated its guidelines for health care professionals based on the new information. Rapid identification of cases is important, so measures can be taken to prevent other people from contracting the disease.

Instructions for those that have been in the epidemic areas

If you have travelled in the epidemic area and are experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection such as fever, cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of leaving the region, do the following:

Always first contact your local hospital or health centre by phone. You will receive instructions on how to seek treatment.

Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing. Immediately put the used tissue in the rubbish bin.

If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze onto the upper part of the sleeve of your sweater, not into your hands.

THL is monitoring and assessing the situation together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).